Dating With Myers-Briggs.

We use all sorts of tools — from horoscopes and compatibility tests (Which Harry Potter character are you?) to discover what our perfect match is going to look like. Does it work? Perhaps, but I’m still trying to figure it out.

At work, my coworkers and I completed a Strengths Finder test to determine our top five strengths. Not only were we required to discover our strengths and share them with others, we were also asked to post our results on our office door, so that others can learn how to better work with us. I’m not kidding.

While I don’t know if “finding my strengths” helped me or my coworkers when it comes to my job, it’s always interesting to find out more about yourself, and those around you. One of the more popular tests that can explain your personality is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). As it is described on their website:

The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) personality inventory is to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives. The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in the behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.

Once you take the test, you’re given a set of four letters that help describe your personality. I’ve taken the test several times and I’m a clear INTJ. Here’s what that means:

Have original minds and great drive for implementing their ideas and achieving their goals. Quickly see patterns in external events and develop long-range explanatory perspectives. When committed, organize a job and carry it through. Skeptical and independent, have high standards of competence and performance – for themselves and others.

So what do personality tests have to do with dating? Well, once you’ve pegged yourself with a set of letters or numbers, or even aligned yourself with certain characteristics, there’s always going to be another set of traits that complements yours — the question becomes, does that make for a perfect relationship?

I will always think that certain traits do complement one another; though I’m not sold on the whole “opposites attract” thing. I found this website called Mass Match, and this is what it said about my Myers-Briggs compatibility:

The Squeeze

The Bitter Lemon is home to lifestyle writer, editor, and author, Holly A. Phillips. She’s an obsessive dreamer, TV-addict, and a relentless writer, who owns an Etsy shop. She currently lives in Austin, Texas with her cat, Blanche Devereaux.